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  • 5 Best Kitten Toys to Keep Your Little Explorer Busy

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    If you’ve ever had a kitten, you know one thing for sure — they have endless energy! 😹 Between the zoomies, climbing the curtains, and pouncing on your toes, kittens are little bundles of curiosity and playfulness.

    As a certified veterinary technician with over 20 years of experience, I can tell you that play isn’t just fun — it’s essential. Kittens use playtime to develop coordination, strengthen muscles, and practice their natural hunting instincts.

    The right toys can help keep your kitten entertained, safe, and out of trouble. Here are my five favorite kitten toys to keep those busy paws occupied (and your sanity intact).

    🐾 Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy

    This classic kitten toy is a must-have in every cat household! It features three tiers of spinning balls your kitten can bat and chase around — perfect for independent play.

    Product Available on Amazon

    I love this toy because it stimulates both mind and body. It’s safe, sturdy, and keeps kittens entertained even when you’re not home.

    💡 Vet Tech Tip: Rotate this toy out every week or two so your kitten doesn’t get bored — they’ll think it’s new every time!

    ✅ Great for solo play
    ✅ Encourages physical activity
    ✅ Durable and stable for kittens of all sizes

    Read my blog about it right here.

    🧸 SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Electronic Motion Toy

    If your kitten loves to chase things, this one’s a winner. The SmartyKat Hot Pursuit mimics a hidden prey moving under fabric — the perfect hunting game for curious kittens!

    Product Available on Amazon

    It keeps kittens mentally stimulated and active, helping prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

    💡 Vet Tech Tip: Supervise play sessions with motion toys to ensure your kitten doesn’t chew on any parts.

    ✅ Simulates natural hunting instincts
    ✅ Keeps kittens entertained for long stretches
    ✅ Great for active, curious personalities

    Read my blog about it right here.

    🐭 Classic Fuzzy Mice Cat Toys (with Catnip)

    You can’t go wrong with the classics — fuzzy mice! These little toys encourage stalking, pouncing, and carrying, which mimic real feline hunting behaviors.

    The catnip inside keeps things interesting, and since they’re sold in multipacks, you’ll always have backups when one goes missing under the couch. 😹

    💡 Vet Tech Tip: Keep a few toys in a sealed bag with catnip. Rotate them weekly for extra excitement.

    ✅ Affordable and fun
    ✅ Encourages natural play instincts
    ✅ Perfect size for kittens to bat and carry

    Read my blog about it right here.

    🎯 Catstages Nina Ottosson Kitty Puzzle Toy

    Interactive puzzle toys like this one engage your kitten’s brain while satisfying their natural curiosity. You can hide treats or kibble inside to encourage problem-solving and slow down fast eaters.

    💡 Vet Tech Tip: Start with easy puzzles and increase the difficulty as your kitten grows — it helps build confidence and mental agility.

    ✅ Promotes mental stimulation
    ✅ Great for food-motivated kittens
    ✅ Reduces boredom and destructive play

    Read my blog about it right here.

    🎁 Vibrant Life 24-Piece Variety Pack

    If you’re just starting out or adopting a new kitten, this pack is a lifesaver. It includes balls, mice, crinkle toys, and more — giving you plenty of options for playtime.

    Product Available on Amazon

    Having a variety keeps kittens interested, and you can find which toy type they love most.

    💡 Vet Tech Tip: Store half the pack away and rotate toys weekly. Kittens love “new” toys — even if they’re just ones you’ve hidden for a while!

    ✅ Affordable and fun starter pack
    ✅ Encourages different play styles
    ✅ Great for multi-kitten homes

    Read my blog about it right here.

    🐱 Final Thoughts

    Kittens are naturally playful and curious — and the right toys keep them happy, healthy, and well-behaved.

    Remember:
    ➡️ Rotate toys to prevent boredom
    ➡️ Supervise play with string or motion toys
    ➡️ Encourage both active and mental play

    With the right mix of safe, engaging toys, your kitten will stay entertained and develop into a confident, well-adjusted cat. 💙

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    Please note, this article contains affiliate links, where I will receive compensation if you buy the product, without any extra cost to you.

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    You should also note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately. 

  • Catstages Kitty Puzzle — A Smart Way to Keep Kittens Thinking

    Photo Courtesy of Canva

    If you want to keep your kitten’s brain as busy as their paws, the Catstages Kitty Puzzle Toy is a must-try.

    This clever toy lets you hide treats or kibble, encouraging your kitten to sniff, paw, and solve their way to the reward. It’s a fun way to prevent boredom and teach problem-solving skills.

    💡 Vet Tech Tip: Use part of your kitten’s regular kibble for puzzle play to avoid overfeeding — it makes mealtime mentally enriching, too!

    Why I Recommend It:
    ✅ Mentally stimulating
    ✅ Great for food-motivated kittens
    ✅ Helps slow down fast eaters

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    Please note, this article contains affiliate links, where I will receive compensation if you buy the product, without any extra cost to you.

    ***

    You should also note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

  • Petstages Tower of Tracks — The Perfect Toy to Keep Kittens Busy

    Photo Courtesy of Canva

     If your kitten loves to chase, bat, and pounce, the Petstages Tower of Tracks is a must-have toy!

    This durable, three-tier track features spinning balls that roll endlessly as your kitten bats at them. It’s perfect for solo play, so your kitten can stay entertained while you work, relax, or sleep.

    As a certified vet tech, I love this toy because it’s safe, sturdy, and encourages healthy play. It satisfies your kitten’s hunting instincts while helping develop coordination and focus.

    💡 Vet Tech Tip: Rotate this toy with others every week to keep things new and exciting — kittens love “fresh” play options!

    Why I Recommend It:
    ✅ Great for solo or group play
    ✅ Encourages natural prey drive
    ✅ Durable and stable construction

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    Please note, this article contains affiliate links, where I will receive compensation if you buy the product, without any extra cost to you.

    ***

    You should also note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

  • What Breed Of Cat Should I Get?

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    One of the most common questions we receive from clients is what breed of cat we recommend they get. However, they should be asking What kind of cat should I get? It is often more beneficial to consider your lifestyle and the temperament of a cat rather than focusing on a specific breed.

    Here are some things that you need to think about before you stop and get the first cute kitten that you see.

    You should consider the size of the cat that you are going to get. 

    Though most cats are between ten and fifteen pounds, there are many females that are much smaller than that! There are also some giant breeds, such as Maine Coons, which can weigh up to 25 pounds.

    You may also want to consider their hair type. 

    Though many domestic cats have short hair, you can find long-haired cats and even ones that are hairless. Don’t forget about all the cats who have coats in between short, long, and hairless.

    Just remember that, if you get a long-haired cat, you will need to spend plenty of time grooming it. A hairless cat may also require some extra attention to maintain its skin’s health.

    As a result, one of the most important factors to consider is how active you want your cat to be. 

    Are you looking for a young kitten that wants to be played with all the time? Do you have the time and energy to play after a long and hard day at work?

    Or is an older cat who is happy to be sitting beside you on the couch at night a better fit? If you are thinking that you don’t want to go through the kitten stage, you may want to look at a shelter for a cat that is a little (or a lot) older. 

    I recently wrote an article about adopting older cats. If you are interested, you can check it out here.

    This also raises the question whether you have sufficient time to spend at home with a cat. There are many cats that would be happy to have the house to themselves, while others need more attention and companionship. Young kittens require even more attention to train them properly.

    If you have frequent guests over, you may want a cat that is as social as you. If you get a cat that runs scared when you have company, it will spend a lot of time hiding. If your cat enjoys greeting everyone and spending time in the same room as him or her, you should be just fine.

    Choosing the right cat for your lifestyle is more important than the breed itself. You need to determine whether a new kitten will fit into your lifestyle. Do you have the time to train a new kitten? And play with him or her all the time to help with the extra energy a kitten has?

    If you are always on the go, you might want to get an older cat who would be happy to be home alone. That way, when you do get home, he or she will be happy to sit beside you on the couch instead of needing all of your attention.

    If you are always having friends over, you don’t want a cat that is going to be scared to come out when you have visitors. That will be way too stressful for him or her (and you)! Take your time, figure out what you really want, and then go find the right (perfect) cat for you and your family.

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    Please note, the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Even though I am a veterinary professional, this blog is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately.